Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce refers to businesses selling products to other businesses, not to end consumers. If you'd like to learn more about this, see the article " Learn about the types of e-commerce: B2B, B2C, B2E, C2C ". In any case, these sales occur through B2B e-commerce websites. Learn more below!
B2B E-COMMERCE SITES
I've already discussed here, as an example and for inspiration for those who intend to start a business in this area, " 3 Brazilian B2B e-commerce websites ," and now I present 3 foreign options, check them out:
1. 1688:
One of the several domains of the multinational e-commerce company Alibaba, 1688.com is a B2B virtual store that operates within the Chinese territory, so all its content is written in the Mandarin language.
Just out of curiosity, 1688 has this name because the sound of these numbers in Chinese sounds a lot like the sound of the word “Alibaba”. The use of numbers is therefore a matter of simplification and usability.
This B2B e-commerce site specializes in selling generic products to Chinese retailers. But that doesn't mean that companies from other countries can't also make purchases there. Suppliers, in turn, must open a website integrated with the system in order to operate on the 1688 platform.
2. Grainger:
Grainger.com is a B2B e-commerce focused on selling industrial supplies like motors, gloves, helmets, ladders, etc. (more than 900 thousand products) that can be shipped all over the world.
Interestingly, this site does not require prior registration from buyers (as is usual on other B2B-type sites). Everyone can select the products and only then, when going through the cart, go to registration and checkout.
The company also has a catalog that includes security, lighting, inventory management and consulting services, among others, as well as solutions for small businesses, sustainability activities, etc.
As soon as you can, also read:
3. Fisher Scientific:
Fichersci.com is a B2B e-commerce site that sells products, tools and equipment that are commonly used in the healthcare industry. Its list includes over 900 items ranging from pipettes to microscopes.
Like Grainger's website, Fisher Scientific allows users to browse its immense list of products, add items to the shopping cart, and then complete the registration and checkout steps.
It is estimated that the revenue of B2B e-commerce sites will reach US$6,7 trillion in 2020, an amount that is almost double what is projected for B2C commerce. Learn more about this in the post " 6 B2B Marketing Lessons for Your E-commerce ".
